We’ve received a few reports that an announcement for a replacement to the EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS is “very possible for the end of August”. A few prototypes of the lens are currently in use in Asia.

This has been a lens that has been set for replacement as far back as I can remember. I think it’s more probable for release now that Nikon has put their new 80-400 out, which was an area of weakness for them.

We’ve heard from a few people that Canon is having manufacturing issues and that there’s a backlog of new lenses slated for production.

</strong>We’ve received a few reports that an announcement for a replacement to the EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS is “very possible for the end of August”. A few prototypes of the lens are currently in use in Asia.</p><p>This has been a lens that has been set for replacement as far back as I can remember. I think it’s more probable for release now that Nikon has put their new 80-400 out, which was an area of weakness for them.</p><p>We’ve heard from a few people that Canon is having manufacturing issues and that there’s a backlog of new lenses slated for production.</p><p><em><a href=\"http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/162616-USA/Canon_2577A002AA_100_400mm_f_4_5_5_6L_IS_USM.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296\" target=\"_blank\">EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 IS at B&H Photo</a></em></p><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">c</span>r</strong></p>

I just can't see this lens coming out before the hugely delayed 200-400/560.

By all accounts the new Nikon 80-400 is a very good lens sharp right through to 400 and the current high price will surely drop soon. Would be a good alternative available now - particularly if used with one of the currently available 24Mp DX bodies.

I just can't see this lens coming out before the hugely delayed 200-400/560.

based on what?

why should they delay one lens only because they have problems with another?

the 100-400mm will sure be sold more often then the 200-400mm.the 100-400mm is a more attractive lens (money wise) for many photographer.

i see no reason, except in case they share the same production problems, that canon will not just release the lens when it is ready.

...could be a marketing nightmare selling expensive zooms coming out at the same time (approx) with overlapping focal lengths..

With the 4-5x difference in price, I think the only real nightmare will be for lowly slobs like me that can only afford the 100-400, but would gladly trade our left (insert favored body part of choice here) for the 200-400.

...could be a marketing nightmare selling expensive zooms coming out at the same time (approx) with overlapping focal lengths..

Yeah, that makes sense. I'm sure VW and Chrysler are just as worried about the marketing nightmare of internal competition from their Porsche and Mercedes subsidiaries. Just like the 100-400 vs. 200-400, there's bound to be a lot of overlap in the customer base.

I would not be surprised if the initial price is in the $3500 region....

Hopefully once they have a production surplus, then 2500 might be feasible in a couple of years.

I would expect a similar, if slightly higher, trajectory as the 70-200/2.8IS II. Start at about $2800, settle at $2300 after 18-24 months.

Some people in Japan think so too. About 3000€. rotating zoom. When?? (End 2013/mid 2014??)But japanese Canonians are discussed about the mentioned rumored pricing. What the hell makes this lens 2-3 times more expensive then the existing predecessor model? There is no better light intensity rumored. The rotating zoom and a better IS will not be worth the money Canon wants for this lens.But... the big but will be, that you have to "bite the sour apple" (Sorry for this Germanism), because there will be no IS lens that meets this focal lenght.... So another cash-cow will be born.